The 3 ½ hour crossing was from Cannes (France) to Salerno (Southern Italy)
Grounded in Cannes
Struggling to get flight clearance into Italy has delayed progress by 24hrs
12,100 feet over the Alps
12,100 feet over the Alps a milestone in the trip and a first for me and G-GAST! The most amazing flight, now safely on the ground at Cannes.
Where am I ?
Being a farmer I was curious as to what was growing below, I looked at my map and realised I was flying over Chablis, shame I didn’t plan my stops a bit better !
ITV News: Farmer's fundraising challenge to fly solo over thirteen countries
Arrival in Troyes (France)
The forecast was not great, towering cumulus and strong gusting winds for the afternoon. I took the opportunity to depart early ahead of the weather climbing to just under 6000 feet and leaning the engine mixture back to give 25 litres per hour fuel consumption which was sure to help if I needed to turn back at any point. Half way through the flight Seine information called me on the radio and asked if I was transmitting the distress signal 121.5 as someone in the vicinity was and I was asked if I could see any other aircraft. The visibility was not great and unfortunately I was unable to see anyone else, I hope it was a false alarm ! The wind on arrival at Troyes was 17kts gusting 25kts across the runway. I knew there was a grass cross runway that would suit better. On arrival overhead ATC informed me in their words “the cross runway was a bit waterlogged”. I asked if they could clarify if it was serviceable, 5 mins later they came back and said it was. Finals runway 23 and I was safely on the ground before the bad weather rocked in ! A testing 90 minute flight, looking forward to some blue skies to appear at some point !!
Le Dragon de Calais
Good timing to see the Dragon de Calais. The new creation built by La Machine Company will roam the city, manipulated by 17 people who give him life. Before returning back to the hotel I grabbed some food at Cafe du Paris, I asked for the bill in French and a few minutes later received a baileys with ice ?? My French really isn’t great lets hope there is no more air to air required !
Diverted into Calais due to Poor Weather
A good flight, a few showers over the channel but good otherwise. On coasting in to the French coast I could see a wall of cloud about 20miles inland as forecasted, so I took the decision to Divert into Calais where the weather was clear. Lille Information informed me the airfield was closed but ok for me to land and to just blind call in French Air to Air. Interesting, my GCSE French was a little rusty !!
Departure Illington Farm Strip next stop Troyes
Sunday 3rd November Departure Day
The Abrey Family
